________________________________________________________________________

prop-063-v001: Reducing timeframe  of IPv4 allocations from twelve to 
               six months
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Authors:   Philip Smith
           pfs@cisco.com

           Randy Bush
           randy@psg.com

           Jonny Martin
           jonny@jonnynet.net

Version:   1

Date:      16 July 2008


1.  Introduction
----------------

This is a proposal to change the timeframe APNIC uses to make IPv4 
allocations to meet LIRs' needs from twelve months to six months.


2.  Summary of current problem
------------------------------

APNIC currently makes IPv4 allocations to LIRs to meet their addressing
needs for up to twelve months. In the IPv4 run out phase, this means 
that  any LIR applying for IPv4 address space will receive sufficient 
addresses for their projected needs for the next 12 months. With the
rapidly  diminishing pool, this is very likely to cause unfair 
distribution of the remaining IPv4 pool.


3.  Situation in other RIRs
---------------------------

This proposal has not been submitted to the other RIRs.

AfriNIC, ARIN, LACNIC and RIPE currently make IPv4 allocations based on 
an LIR's estimated needs for up to twelve months.


4.  Details of the proposal
---------------------------

It is proposed that APNIC change the timeframe for which IPv4 
allocations are made to to meet LIR's needs from twelve months to six 
months.  

This means that an organisation applying for IPv4 address space will 
only receive sufficient address space for their needs for the upcoming
six months.  Once that six month allocation has run out, the 
organisation will need to apply for another six month allocation.


5.  Advantages and disadvantages of the proposal
------------------------------------------------

5.1 Advantages

    - Ensures that there is a more even distribution of the remaining
      IPv4 address pool.

    - Ensures that organisations have a greater opportunity to
      participate in the remaining IPv4 address pool during the runout
      phase.

5.2 Disadvantages

    - Organisations applying for IPv4 address space only receive
      sufficient resources for the next six months.

    - Organisations applying for IPv4 address space may have double
      the annual application administration to perform. APNIC
      Secretariat may also have double the administration to perform.


6.  Effect on APNIC members
---------------------------

The proposal impacts all APNIC members.


7.  Effect on NIRs
------------------

The proposal has no direct impact on NIRS, but impacts members of NIRs
in the same way it impacts APNIC members.